Passive construction

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A125W

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I still confuse to answer this questions to be passive voice. Can you help me?

1. There`s a rumour that the escaped prisoner is living in Beyoglu.
2. Don`t let them take advantage of you.
3. Don`t let him tease you
 

Barb_D

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I've moved this post to its own thread because it was not related to the question you attached it to.

1. Can't be made passive because there is no direct object that can become the subject of the passive sentence.

2 & 3. Commands are very awkward when changed to the passive. It would be very unnatural to say "Let yourself not be teased by him."
 
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5jj

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How about:

1. It is rumoured that the escaped prisoner is living in Beyoglu.
2. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of.
3. Don't let yourself be teased.


?
 

Barb_D

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I'm okay with 2 and 3. Perhaps my irritation in general with passive sentences caused me to create a more unnatural sentence than was necessary.

But is "It is rumored" really the passive of "There's a rumor"? I'm fine with the construction "There's a rumor" as well as "It is rumored that" but I wouldn't call one a passive version of the other, since there is not transitive verb. Would you?
 

5jj

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But is "It is rumored" really the passive of "There's a rumor"?
No. If A15W has to produce a passive construction, that's the only one I can come up with.
I'm fine with the construction "There's a rumor" as well as "It is rumored that" but I wouldn't call one a passive version of the other, since there is not transitive verb. Would you? No. I agree with you.
5
 
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